Transcript Highlights:

• And I respectfully request an aye vote on H.R. 109 and ask for the first roll to be open for co-authors
• I want to thank my colleague from Senator Carrita for bringing H.R. 109 before us today.
• and to my fourth-floor crew, I appreciate you, and I support, and I ask all my colleagues to support H.R
• the work of our janitorial and cleaning services and workers, and respectfully request an aye vote on H.R
• And respectfully request an aye vote on H.R. 109. Thank you, Assembly Member Schiavo.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, file item number—that's H.R. 89 by Assembly Member Patterson. The clerk will read.
• Members, today I rise to present H.R. 89 to recognize March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
• I rise in support and want to thank our member from Rockland for bringing forward H.R. 89.
• I was not intending to stand up, but I'm rising in support of H.R. 89.
• So respectfully ask for your aye vote on H.R. 89. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. 24 by Thompson.
• H.R. 32 by Metcalfe proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislator to limit the maximum
• single consumer whose right to personal reproductive autonomy refer to the Committee on State Affairs H.R
• of the property of the border's securities infrastructure, referred the Committee on Ways and Means, H.R
• H.R. 36 by Bello Coppin, proposing a constitution amendment to authorize the legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am disheartened that I have to come before you today to present H.R. 25 in remembrance of the Armenian
• H.R. 25 is a resolution that has come before the Legislature for many years and for many good reasons
• By passing H.R. 25, we will once again remember its important history and recommit ourselves to preventing
• On H.R. 25: Pacheco? Aye. Pacheco, aye. Lackey, aye. Arons, aye. Cawain? Aye. Patel? I'm Rodriguez.

Committee: House Rules

Summary: The Rules Committee met and first approved the consent agenda by roll call vote. The committee then took up House Resolution 25, a resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide. The author described the resolution as an affirmation that the genocide occurred and emphasized remembrance, denial, and the importance of preventing future genocides. A representative of the Armenian Assembly of America testified in support, citing historical recognition by California, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. president, and other countries, and also referenced ongoing concerns about ethnic and religious cleansing in Artsakh. One witness testified in opposition, arguing that the events were a war rather than a genocide, disputing the death toll, and urging a joint resolution that would unite rather than divide people. Committee members then spoke in support of the resolution, with members noting its importance to Armenian constituents and to the Armenian community more broadly. A motion to pass H.R. 25 was made and seconded. The committee approved H.R. 25 by roll call vote, and the consent calendar was also approved. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You and I started talking about H.R. 1 in July, I think, of last year, after I passed, and how do those
• Additionally, this budget does a solid job in mitigating the worst of Trump's H.R. 1 from going into
• The H.R. 1 had the senior deduction, the no tax on tips, and the no tax on overtime.
• The centerpiece of this budget happens to be implementation of H.R. 1, full conformity with the Trump
• And the second thing that they need to be doing is recognizing that we've implemented H.R. 1, and we

Bills: HB4154 , HB4155 , HB4156 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4159 , HB4160 , HB4161 , HB4162 , HB4163 , HB4164 , HB4165 , HB4166 , HB4167 , HB4168 , HB4169 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB1851 , SB1852 , SB1853 , SB1854 , SB1855 , SB1856 , SB1857 , SB1858 , SB1859 , SB1860 , SB1861 , SB1862

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HB4155, amusements, amusement industry, entertainment, recreation, state appropriations, biennium, 2026-2027, fees, licensing, regulation, tourism, parks, fairgrounds, carnivals, arcades, HB4156, capital outlay, appropriations, capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask for your aye vote on H.R. 112. Thank you. Thank you, Assembly Member McKinner.
• Today, I rise in support of H.R. 112, honoring Black Music Month.
• So knowing the American soundtrack, with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on H.R. 112.
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote on H.R. 112. I'm proud of you. [inaudible].
• That is H.R. 132 by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan. Clerk will read.

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a large procedural and floor agenda. Members suspended rules for adjournments in memory, guest introductions, and expedited committee action, rereferred AB 1199 to Health and AB 2728 to Local Government, and removed several items from calendars or returned bills to the Senate at authors’ requests. The chamber then moved through concurrence and third-reading files, with many measures passing on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including AB 230 on Pierce’s disease control, AB 1636 on a Cerritos College seamless enrollment pilot, AB 1982 on alcoholic beverages, AB 2120 on school district employees, AB 2413 on political reform and billboard use, AB 2437 and AB 2453 on vehicles, AB 2596 on housing, AB 1760 and AB 1873 on technical clarifications, AB 2312 on tidelands, AB 2390 on housing cleanup, AB 2685 and AB 2778 on agriculture, and ACR 194 on Women’s Equality Day. The Assembly also adopted several resolutions and Senate measures. HR 112 designating Black Music Month drew extensive remarks about Black artists’ influence and was adopted with 62 coauthors. HR 132 declaring September Young Women’s Reproductive Health Awareness Month was adopted with 50 coauthors. SJR 8 urging federal immigration reform passed 45-2, with supporters emphasizing immigrant contributions and the need to modernize the registry system. SCR 7 on permanent standard time was debated at length, with supporters citing health benefits and opponents warning about darker mornings and voter intent; the resolution ultimately passed 41-3 after a roll call. Other Senate bills passed included SB 105 on penny rounding for local agencies, SB 928 on AI guardrails in CSU classrooms, SB 1038 on CalPERS audit notices, SB 308 on community college reporting, SB 1172 on tax-sharing consultant fees, SB 1159 on AI-generated public participation, SB 1055 on flood project procurement, SB 1285 on juvenile dismissals, SB 1274 on industrial cities and transportation funding, SB 965 easing library card access for 16- and 17-year-olds, SB 1375 creating a narrow CEQA exemption for certain transit projects, SB 952 on clean energy accounting for water agencies, and SB 917 expanding farmers market wine sales eligibility. Several measures drew notable opposition or discussion. On SB 965, one member objected that the bill should preserve parental decision-making, while supporters argued it would remove an unnecessary barrier to library access. On SB 952, one member criticized state energy policy and the bill’s project labor agreement, but the measure still passed 64-1. On SB 1375, supporters framed the bill as reducing duplicative environmental review for major transit projects like Diridon Station while preserving other protections. The chamber also added coauthors to consent-calendar resolutions and adopted the second-day consent calendar items without objection. The meeting concluded with multiple adjournments in memory, including tributes to Eric L. Washington Jr., Ivan Garza, Darryl Preston Jackson, Richard “Dick” Oliphant, and former Madera Mayor Santos Garcia. Members described Washington as a community leader and peacemaker, Garza as a young athlete whose life was cut short, Jackson as a mentor and founder of the 1020 Club, Oliphant as a civic leader who helped shape the Coachella Valley, and Garcia as a labor advocate and public servant who fought for working families and helped reopen Madera Community Hospital. The Assembly observed moments of silence in their honor before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The issues impacting hospitals, and a number of hospitals and rural hospitals in particular, predated H.R
• bit of context about steps we were taking on the reimbursement rates issue, which he raised, before H.R
• Before H.R. 1 passed, we had worked with our federal partners at CMS to implement rate increases for
• The issue, though, the reason I bring that up is because H.R. 1 imposes new limitations on reimbursement
• eligibility rules that will be implemented as part of not only the state budget solutions, but the H.R

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee first handled several routine items, approving three gubernatorial appointees not required to appear: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. It also approved referral of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, all by 5-0 votes. The committee then heard Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith said his priorities would be protecting Medi-Cal access amid federal changes and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators questioned him extensively about rural and financially distressed hospitals, Medi-Cal reimbursement, eligibility redeterminations, work requirements, fraud controls, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and CalAIM’s evaluation. He said DHCS is working on expedited payments, hospital monitoring, county technical assistance, targeted audits, and community supports such as medically tailored meals. Public commenters from county, hospital, and care organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the appointment to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Dr. Chris Thayer, nominated to lead the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, scientifically rigorous health assessments and risk communication to inform other agencies and policymakers. Senators focused on the agency’s use of models versus real-world data, CalEnviroScreen, Prop 65, PFAS, wildfire health impacts, and how OEHHA communicates risk to the public. Thayer said the office relies on a mix of data sources where direct evidence is limited, is updating CalEnviroScreen, and is working to reduce Prop 65 over-warning through guidance and outreach. The discussion did not reach a final vote on his appointment in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The issues impacting hospitals, and a number of hospitals and rural hospitals in particular, predated H.R
• bit of context about steps we were taking on the reimbursement rates issue, which you raised, before H.R
• Before H.R. 1 passed, we had worked with our federal partners at CMS to implement rate increases for
• The issue, though, the reason I bring that up is because H.R. 1 imposes new limitations on reimbursement
• eligibility rules that will be implemented as part of not only the state budget solutions, but the H.R

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have recently responded to an H.R. 1 program opportunity.
• So then turning to the impacts that we'll talk about on H.R. 1, Medicaid work requirements are focused
• That we'll talk about on H.R. 1, Medicaid work requirements are focused here on the top of the bullet
• So moving on to the next slide, in terms of federal actions, we've, Michelle, referenced H.R. 1, and
• said weren't legitimate under the Administrative Procedures Act, under federal law, are actually in H.R

Committee: Joint Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who described her background in public service and emphasized collaboration, relationships, and responsiveness to legislators as she begins her tenure. Members thanked her and noted they looked forward to working with her on the governor’s priorities and the state’s budget and service challenges. The committee then heard a presentation on the West Coast Health Alliance from Governor’s Office, Department of Health, and state health leadership. Witnesses said the alliance was formed by Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii to provide unified, science-based public health guidance, especially on vaccines, amid federal instability and misinformation. They said the alliance has already issued vaccine recommendations and statements rejecting a vaccine-autism link, and is working on return-to-work guidance and responses to federal ACIP actions. Members asked about workload and coordination with an East Coast public health group; witnesses said the main challenge is communicating unified guidance rather than reviewing studies themselves. Next, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange reported on open enrollment and the effects of federal changes, including the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and HR1 provisions affecting immigrant eligibility and future auto-renewal rules. Officials said premium increases are driving some customers to drop coverage, while state actions such as silver loading and Cascade Care Savings are helping blunt the impact for many enrollees. They also described outreach through navigators, brokers, tribal organizations, and community groups, and noted rising website traffic and more customer questions during open enrollment. Members asked about enrollment trends, carrier participation, and how to communicate upcoming federal changes. Finally, the Health Care Authority and Office of the Insurance Commissioner reviewed the state’s health reform history and the impact of federal changes on Medicaid and the individual market. They highlighted ongoing state efforts on affordability, prescription drug oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, preventive services, and rural health funding. Witnesses said agencies are coordinating across DSHS, HCA, OIC, the Exchange, Employment Security, and others to prepare for Medicaid work requirements and other HR1 changes, while also trying to reduce administrative burden and preserve access to care. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. 384, whereas State Representative Denise Villalobos and her husband Ruben Corpus Christi are celebrating
• Members, I move to suspend all necessary rules to consider H.R. 392. Is there any objection?
• H.R. 341 by Buckley recognizing March 4th 2025 as community is in schools day at the State Capitol.
• I move to suspend all necessary rules to take up and consider H.R. 436.
• tangible personal property for a certain period of time referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, H.R

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. 4 by [Hunter](afls15067939e31cf860step63160.json).
• Tenderholt: I would like to respectfully move to postpone further consideration of H.R. 4 until Monday
• All right, the question occurs on ordering the previous question on the adoption of H.R. 4.
• Speaker: We will now proceed directly to the vote on the adoption of [H.R. 4](afls150679668ea8840bstep63273
• All right, the question occurs on the adoption of [H.R. 4](afls150679668ea8840bstep63273.json).

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. 1303 by Flores. H.R. 1304 by Darby. H.R. 1305 by Moody. H.R. 1306 by Flores.
• H.R. 1307 by Moody. H.R. 1308 by Manuel. H.R. 1309 by Rodriguez-Ramos. H.R. 1310 by Orr.
• H.R. 1311 by Cunningham. H.R. 1312 by Rodriguez-Ramos. H.R. 1313 by Cunningham. H.R. 1313 by Darby.
• H.R. 1314 by Bucy. H.R. 1315 by Martinez-Fischer. H.R. 1316 by Martinez-Fischer. H.R. 1317 by Orr.
• H.R. 1318 by Flores. H.R. 1319 by Troxclair. H.R. 1320 by Reynolds.

Bills: SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR8 , SB31 , SB33 , SB3 , SB1405 , SB1948 , SB243 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB2581 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB2570 , SB1566 , SB552 , SJR1 , SB646 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB987 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SCR8 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB2775 , HB34 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148 , HB 130 , HB4273 , HB4850 , HB2733 , HB4783 , SB1833

Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights

Transcript Highlights:

• And I respectfully request an aye vote on H.R. 109 and ask for the first roll to be open for co-authors
• I want to thank my colleague from Senator Carrita for bringing H.R. 109 before us today.
• and to my fourth-floor crew, I appreciate you, and I support, and I ask all my colleagues to support H.R
• the work of our janitorial and cleaning services and workers, and respectfully request an aye vote on H.R
• Services and workers, and respectfully request an aye vote on H.R. 109.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded through routine journal, procedural, and guest-introduction business. Majority Leader Garcia secured suspension of rules for several procedural matters, including allowing guests in the chamber, moving AB 2568 Johnson out of Appropriations to the second reading file, and setting SB 73 Cervantes for a Public Safety Committee hearing; the rule-suspension motion passed 41-14. The floor also recognized several guest groups, including Placer County Sheriff Wayne Wu and Undersheriff Shane Wright for the sheriff’s office’s 175th anniversary, students from John Muir Charter Schools, youth art contest winners from the 24th District, the Oak Ridge High School cheer team, and students from Casa Grande High School. The Assembly then moved through the daily file, passing and retaining numerous second- and third-reading items. Two resolutions drew floor debate and were adopted by voice vote after coauthor roll calls: ACR 176 by Assembly Member Elhawary, declaring April as Second Chance Month, and HR 109 by Assembly Member Schiavo, recognizing California’s janitorial and cleaning workforce. Supporters of ACR 176 emphasized rehabilitation, reentry barriers, and the importance of second chances for formerly incarcerated people, while also noting the need to remember victims and survivors. Supporters of HR 109 highlighted janitors’ role in public health and the often unseen nature of their work, with members sharing personal experiences in janitorial and service jobs. The Assembly also adopted ACR 119 by Assembly Member Ta, recognizing Black April Memorial Month and the 51st anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Speakers described the trauma of the Vietnamese refugee experience, honored those lost during and after the Vietnam War, and praised the contributions of Vietnamese Americans in California. After additional items were passed and retained on the third reading and consent calendars, the House announced its schedule and adjourned until Monday, May 4 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, file item number, that's H.R. 89 by Assembly Member Patterson. The clerk will read.
• Members, today I rise to present H.R. 89 to recognize March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
• I rise in support and want to thank our member from Rockland for bringing forward H.R. 89.
• I was not intending to stand up, but I'm rising in support of H.R. 89.
• So I respectfully ask for your aye vote on H.R. 89. Thank you. Assembly Member Ransom.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and brief procedural business, including approval of the prior day’s journal, suspension of certain rules for guest introductions, and moving AB 568 to the inactive file. The chamber then recognized several visiting groups, including a fourth-grade class from Marigold Elementary School, representatives of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and its Royal Court, and students from the University of California Students Association on lobby day. The main floor actions centered on two resolutions. ACR 147 by Assembly Member Lackey designated March 9, 2026 as California Special Olympics Day. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, sharing personal connections to Special Olympics and praising its impact on athletes, families, and volunteers. The resolution received 70 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 89 by Assembly Member Patterson declared March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Speakers emphasized rising colorectal cancer rates among younger adults, the importance of screening, and new testing options including blood tests. The resolution also received 70 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. After the resolutions, Assembly Member Rodriguez offered an adjournment in memory of Bob Yuloa of Chino, a Navy veteran and longtime community servant. The Assembly then announced upcoming committee and floor session dates and adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members I move to suspend all necessary rules take up and consider H.R. 120.
• Speaker, I move to suspend all necessary rules to take up and consider H.R. 121.
• Speaker, I move to suspend all necessary rolls to take up H.R. 169. You've heard the motion.
• Speaker, I move to suspend all necessary rules to take up and consider H.R. 161.
• Speaker, I move to suspend all necessary rules and take take up and consider H.R. 31.

Transcript Highlights:

• You and I started talking about H.R. 1 in July, I think, of last year after I passed, and how do those
• Additionally, this budget does a solid job in mitigating the worst of Trump's H.R. 1 from going into
• The H.R. 1 had the senior deduction, the no tax on tips, and the no tax on overtime.
• I don't have... ...parts of the tax proposal in H.R. 1.
• The centerpiece of this budget happens to be implementation of H.R. 1, full conformity with the Trump

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bills exclude the following three provisions from the federal bill, H.R. 1: the additional $6,000
• One of the goals of H.R. 1, that came up a little bit short, was to try to eliminate taxes on Social
• Included in H.R. 1, they're just, again, to my comments, weightier.
• Did you happen to read all of H.R. 1?
• It would not have H.R. 1.

Summary: The joint House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees met to hear identical conformity bills, HB 2153 and SB 1106, which would align Arizona tax law with the federal Internal Revenue Code as of Jan. 1, 2026, including some retroactive provisions for tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bills would exclude three federal provisions: the higher federal SALT deduction, the new senior deduction as written in H.R. 1, and the deduction for interest on new car loans. They would instead include a $6,000 retirement-income deduction for taxpayers age 60 and older, a $6,000 Roth IRA contribution deduction, a higher dependent tax credit, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. JLBC estimated the package would reduce general fund income tax revenue by about $441.3 million in FY 2026. Members also discussed that the Department of Revenue’s forms had been issued assuming full conformity, and staff and supporters argued the bills were needed quickly to avoid confusion and amended returns during filing season. Committee members and sponsors largely framed the bills as tax relief and a way to provide certainty for taxpayers and preparers. Supporters said the package would help families, seniors, and workers, and noted that the Arizona version was negotiated to keep the overall tax relief roughly comparable to full conformity while shifting benefits away from the SALT deduction and toward child credits, retirement income, and child care. The sponsors also criticized the governor’s executive action and urged prompt passage so taxpayers would know how to file. Opponents argued the bills would reduce state revenue, worsen the budget outlook, and disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations. Several witnesses and members also raised concerns about the child care deduction, the retirement-income deduction, and the business expensing provisions, while supporters responded that the bill was designed to help working families and encourage saving and investment. Public testimony was mixed. The Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club supported the bills, emphasizing early conformity, filing certainty, and reduced confusion for taxpayers and software providers. Opponents included Save Our Schools Arizona, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Opportunity Arizona, and several individuals, who argued the package would deepen budget problems and favor the wealthy. One witness objected to a federal school-choice-related provision she said was being tied to the bill, though committee members said the measure before them was a tax conformity bill and not a school finance bill. The hearing included extended debate over the fiscal impact, the governor’s prior requests for some of the same tax changes, and whether taxpayers would need to file amended returns if the legislature later changed course. The transcript ends during testimony from NFIB, with no final committee vote or action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bills exclude the following three provisions from the federal bill, H.R. 1: the additional $6,000
• If we piggyback on most of the rest of the qualifications that the feds have in H.R. 1, but we wanted
• Included in H.R. 1, they're just, again, to my comments, weightier.
• Did you happen to read all of H.R. 1?
• It would not have H.R. 1.

Summary: The joint House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees met to hear identical Arizona tax conformity bills, HB 2153 and SB 1106, which would conform state tax law to the federal Internal Revenue Code as of Jan. 1, 2026, with some provisions applied retroactively to tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bills exclude the federal senior deduction for those 65 and older, the higher state and local tax deduction, and the new car loan interest deduction, while including a $6,000 retirement-income deduction for taxpayers 60 and older, a $6,000 Roth IRA contribution deduction, a higher dependent tax credit, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. The JLBC fiscal note estimated a $441.3 million general fund revenue loss in FY 2026, and members discussed that this was roughly the same as full conformity because the bill’s adjustments offset some of the federal changes. Bill sponsors and supporters argued the measure should be enacted early to give taxpayers and tax preparers certainty before filing season, noting that the Department of Revenue had already issued forms assuming conformity and that delay could force amended returns. They said the bill reflects a negotiated package that preserves most of the federal tax relief while tailoring it for Arizona, especially by lowering the senior deduction age to 60 and replacing the auto loan deduction with family-focused provisions such as the higher child credit and child care deduction. The Arizona Society of CPAs and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club supported the bills, emphasizing the need for early conformity and fewer filing complications. Opponents, including Save Our Schools Arizona, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Opportunity Arizona, and several individuals, argued the package would reduce state revenue, worsen the structural deficit, and mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations. Some witnesses criticized the inclusion of federal school-choice-related provisions and warned about uncertainty around future federal guidance, while others said the bill should not move ahead before the budget process. Members also debated whether taxpayers would need to file amended returns if the state later diverged from the Department of Revenue forms, and whether the senior and child care provisions were targeted or equitable. The transcript ends during public testimony, with no final committee vote or action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4776, the SPEED Act.
• Unfortunately, H.R. 845 is part of a pattern.
• Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 845.
• H.R. 845 is supported by science.
• H.R. 845 is supported by science.

Bills: HR498 , HR845 , HR1366 , HB4776

Keywords: antisemitism, Jewish safety, civil rights, hate crimes, freedom of expression, political protest, drowsy driving, road safety, public awareness, preventative measures, traffic accidents, NEPA, National Environmental Policy Act, environmental review, permitting reform, permit streamlining, infrastructure, economic development, federal agencies, categorical exclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• File item 36 is H.R. 134 by Assembly Member Alvarez. Clerk will read.
• H.R. 134... ...in first-generation college students' success.
• For that reason, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on H.R. 134, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
• And with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on H.R. 134.
• So I encourage you to do so going forward, and again thank you all for supporting H.R. 134.